Nimrod R1
Originally, the Nimrod R1 was developed as a maritime patrol aircraft to destroy submarines. Later, all naval systems were replaced by reconnaissance systems for gathering electronic intelligence. It has a 4 men flight deck crew (2 pilots, 1 flight engineer and a weapon systems officer) and an electronic reconnaissance crew of 24 reconnaissance operators commanded by a mission supervisor. The NImrod R1 aircraft are operated by No. 51 squadron based on Waddington AFB, United-Kingdom.

Nimrod MR 2
The Nimrod MR2 is equipped to destroy submarines, surface ships, intelligence and communications support and for supporting rescue mission. It has a crew of 13 man and the ability to carry 25 more.
The armament consist of: 9 Stingray torpedo's, Harpoon missiles, (against ships) and air-to-air Sidewinder AAM missiles for self-defense. It is equipped with 4 low-bypass Rolls-Royce Spey 250 turbofan engines which are mounted into the root of the wings. Each engine has a thrust of 12.500 pounds. It powers the nimrod to a maximum speed of 260 knots and has a maximum range for 9 hours.

The first Nimrod (MR 1) maritime patrol aircraft came into service in 1969. It was made on the airframe of the civil Comet aircraft. During the 80 years, the nimrod were update to the MR2 version. Later, an air-to-air refueling probe was added.

The Nimrod MR2 is operated by 120th squadron, 201st squadron and 42th (reserve) squadron, all based on Kinloss AFB.

Nimrod MRA4
The Nimrod MRA4 is the newest Nimrod aircraft, intended to replace the Nimrod MR2 with the primary tasks as Anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and search and rescue, together with an Intelligence Surveillance Targeting Acquisition Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability.

The Nimrod MRA4 is heavily modified, only the basis fuselage has been kept the same. Some features:

- BR710 high bypass turbofan engines with 25% more thrust
- increasing maximum weight from 87 tons to 104 tons
- larger weapon load
- more fuel capacity
- 2 pilots, 8 mission crew members
- glass cockpit
- Tactical Command System, (7 re-configurable, multi-function color display workstations used by the mission crew)

Just one aircraft has already been converted to the MRA4 version, the others will be operational around 2011.